Clinton's memoirs hit the million mark
NEW YORK -- Bill Clinton's "My Life" is a million seller. "This is an astonishing number for a work of nonfiction," Sonny Mehta, president of Alfred A. Knopf, said in a statement Thursday.

Pirates down Brewers
PITTSBURGH -- Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon thinks left-hander Oliver Perez belongs in the All-Star game despite his recent long winless streak. His last two performances show why.

Contreras' wife, two daughters leave Cuba
BALTIMORE -- Jose Contreras' family defected from Cuba this week, and the New York Yankees pitcher left the team Tuesday and traveled to Miami to reunite with his wife and two daughters.

Blue Jays blank Devil Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- When Orlando Hudson's bloop hit fell in shallow right field for an RBI single in the third inning, Mark Hendrickson figured he and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were in for a long day against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Home run lifts Braves
ATLANTA - When Atlanta Braves pitcher Jaret Wright, who had not given up a home run in his past four starts, was taken deep by David Ortiz in the first inning Friday night, one could almost hear the applause in Boston.

Six-run first fuels Atlanta's victory
ATLANTA - For all the addled talk a few days ago that the Atlanta Braves were working on a blockbuster trade with the Chicago White Sox, it was fitting that Andruw Jones delivered the crippling blow in Thursday night's 9-1 win over the Florida Marlins.

How competitive eating went big-time
NEW ORLEANS -- The woman's contorted expression reveals something between skepticism and pure revulsion, but the president of the International Federation of Competitive Eating is undaunted. In fact, Rich Shea is quite accustomed to this reaction - and understandably so.

High energy prices trickle down slightly through the economy
What do carpet, tires and paint have in common? They are just a few of the household items getting more expensive due to the high cost of oil and natural gas, important raw materials for these products and the source of energy needed to manufacture and ship them.

Manufacturing activity increases again in June
NEW YORK -- Manufacturing activity increased again in June, pointing to moderating but sustained expansion in that key sector, while May construction spending increased as well - more good signs for the rebounding economy.

Business briefs
COLUMBIA - South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. has asked state utility regulators to approve an 8.8 percent increase in its electric rate for residential customers.

Curtail the bobtail
The practice of bobtailing - tacking unrelated amendments onto carefully drawn up legislation at the last minute - should be curbed, if not banned. The issue was discussed recently with the Aiken Chamber of Commerce by the area's lawmakers.

'Romancing' the elderly
We've never subscribed to the notion that because your kids are out of school you shouldn't have to pay school taxes anymore. Why not? Just because you're getting older and your kids are grown up, doesn't mean you don't have a stake in the future. There are still grandchildren to educate.

A date with justice
As his date with justice got under way in an Iraqi court Thursday, the Butcher of Baghdad was alternately confused, angry and defiant. Although the world's attention was focused on Saddam Hussein, it was the young Iraqi judge who maintained stately control of the verbal volleys and arraignment.

Willie Nelson, still in pain from hand surgery
DALLAS -- Country star Willie Nelson said Thursday he'll sing but won't be able to play guitar at his annual Fourth of July picnic because of a slow recovery from carpal tunnel surgery.

Actor Marlon Brando dead at 80
LOS ANGELES -- Marlon Brando, who revolutionized American acting with his Method performances in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "On the Waterfront" and went on to create the iconic character of Don Vito Corleone in "The Godfather," has died. He was 80.

Tokyo stocks mixed, dollar down against yen
LOS ANGELES -- A bidding war has broken out for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, with Time Warner Inc. making a nearly $5 billion offer for the venerable Hollywood studio, according to newspaper reports.

Money funds fell in latest week
NEW YORK -- Assets of the nation's retail money market mutual funds fell by $6.37 billion in the latest week to $850.74 billion, the Investment Company Institute said Thursday.

Bonds jump following employment report
NEW YORK -- Bond prices rose sharply Friday in an abbreviated session, with traders revisiting their assumptions of interest rate hikes after a weaker-than-expected employment report.

Big Movers in the Stock Market
NEW YORK -- Stocks that were moving substantially or trading heavily Friday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market.

Stocks slump on lower weak economic news
NEW YORK -- Stocks sagged Thursday as lower-than-expected activity in the manufacturing sector and a slight rise in weekly jobless claims stifled investor enthusiasm after two days of gains. The Dow Jones industrials lost more than 100 points, while tech stocks fell on concerns about Intel Corp. and Yahoo! Inc.

Poor jobs data leads stocks lower
NEW YORK -- Fresh questions about the strength of the economic recovery sent stocks lower Friday as a disappointing report on job creation weighed heavily on investor confidence. All three major indexes lost ground for the week.

Big Movers in the Stock Market
NEW YORK -- Stocks that were moving substantially or trading heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market.

School is back in session for hybrids
After a month of playing "hooky," Thurmond Lake's hybrids are finally schooling, with some of the better fish being caught late in the day in water opposite the mouth of the "Church Cove."

Barbee is reeled in for show
The hardest part of producing a television fishing show is getting the fish to cooperate, according to Ralph Barbee Jr., of Evans, whose latest effort began Thursday night on Knology's Channel 6.

Fishing tournament news
Sponsoring a bass, crappie, catfish or other fishing tournament? Mail or fax your flyer or information to Fishing Editor, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, Ga. 30903-1928. Fax number: (706) 823-3408. Tournament reports must include first and last names of the participants, total numbers of fish and total weight of the catch.

Rosales takes 1-shot lead
SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. - Annika Sorenstam hit the ball so pure that she missed only one green and one fairway, the kind of golf that usually wins the U.S. Women's Open.

Woods makes cut at Western
LEMONT, Ill. - Tiger Woods watched as his ball clipped the top of a large willow tree and fell 30 yards in front of him. Another swing moved the ball a measly few feet. Finally, on the third try, he punched out to the fairway, still 40 yards shy of the pin.

Woods' caddie has no apologies
The caddie for Tiger Woods said he was wrong to kick over a news photographer's camera during the U.S. Open, blaming his snap decision on hearing too many clicks from too many cameras at the wrong time.

Augusta truly is a city of character
Despite the racial tensions found within and despite the tensions of Augusta's commissions dealing with city issues, this Garden City of Augusta shines on as a city of character.
The Rev. Michael Lubinsky
Augusta

Oil and columnist's logic don't mix
Former Cuban insurgent Joaquin Godoy decries the military intervention he would have welcomed in Cuba in the 1960s ("Express dismay with Bush at November polls," June 23).
William J. Welsh, M.D.
Augusta

Kerry is not the man for the job
For the past few months, I have listened to Sen. John Kerry's disdainful rhetoric against our president and our country's policies, which has led me to this conclusion:
Gregory J. Topliff
Aiken, S.C.

Augusta politics is still appalling
It is absolutely astounding to me the level of blind faith some people will place in their "trusted" local politicians without reviewing what they're being charged with or even considering an ounce of it just might be true.
Chris Smith
Minneapolis

Unions are beneficial, not bullying
Regarding your editorial "End union bullying" (June 21), it should be the other way around. The companies bullying the workers threatening the workers if they sign the cards.
Gene Harvey
Hephzibah

Cast judgeship vote for Padgett
J. Wade Padgett is ideally suited to be Columbia County's next chief magistrate judge. I have seen Wade demonstrate several qualities that make this statement true. First, Wade has experience as an assistant district attorney. Second, Wade is a practicing attorney as well as an associate magistrate judge. Lastly, Wade is a community leader with a true, demonstrated love for this county.
Mike Stanley
Evans

Augusta's first lady deserves honor
Although there was an honorable mention in The Chronicle's Across the Area section, I feel this deserves a nod of note. I've heard estimates that there are more than 50,000 licensed real estate agents in Georgia and about 4,000 in the Central Savannah River Area.
Johnny Hensley
Augusta

Health and fitness calendar
The health and fitness calendar is a listing of support groups, activities and lectures. Send information to Health Calendar, The Augusta Chronicle Newsroom, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903.

Cassini settles into Saturn orbit
PASADENA, Calif. -- After seven years of hurtling through space to the outer solar system, the U.S.-European Cassini spacecraft squeezed through a gap in Saturn's shimmering rings, fired its brakes and settled into a near-perfect orbit around the giant planet.

Desolation Canyon: The disappearance
THE STORY SO FAR: A confrontation between Aaron's dad and Cassidy becomes dangerous when Cassidy picks up a huge log. He swings it about, threatening Aaron's dad.

Computers drive out need for chickenscratch
At Greenwich Country Day, a prestigious Connecticut private school, computers have all but replaced pencil and paper. Typing instruction starts in second grade, and laptops are mandatory by seventh. Essays are typed, and often class notes are, too.

Group strives to help fathers
Savannah has one. So does Atlanta. So Terry Pitts and Book Facey see no reason why Augusta can't have a local chapter of Fathers Are Parents, Too, a nonprofit group dedicated to changing Georgia child custody laws.

Rants and raves
Because we receive a number of comments and questions about The Augusta Chronicle, we use Saturday's Rants & Raves column to set the record straight.

Injuries from fireworks decline with education
Every year about this time, Dr. Michael Shafay sees a steady flow of adolescents brought into the Medical College of Georgia Hospital's emergency department with burns to their fingers, eye injuries and other fireworks-related wounds.

Attorney criticizes drug raid
COLUMBIA - South Carolina's attorney general said Friday it was "highly inappropriate" for police to draw guns during a drug sweep at a Charleston-area high school last year but the action did not warrant charges.

News you can use
July 3, 1993 The high-profile Tokars murder case from Cobb County might be transferred to Augusta for the trial later this year. Court sources in Augusta have said that Cobb County attorneys have been in contact with Richmond County court administrators about the possibility of trying the case here.

Around town
Caleb Palker (left), 8, and Drake Horton, 8, both of Augusta, push Poetic Smith, 7, of North Augusta, in a junk car in front of Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta. The boys, who are participating in the Summer of Fun 2004 Day Camp, made cars out of buckets, duct tape, wheels and pillows. The cars had built-in slingshots.

Prison re-entry project planned
The diverse group of community leaders selected to put into action a new prisoner re-entry program in the Augusta area met this week to hear the first details about the program.

Mother charged in child burning
For the second time this week, Richmond County sheriff's deputies have locked up a mother on child abuse charges after investigators found severe burns on a child's body.

Traffic rises in area after road's opening
AIKEN - The Palmetto Parkway has provided passage from Augusta to North Augusta for little more than a week, but already there are signs that it's bringing more traffic into South Carolina, officials said.

Mold cleanup is moving slowly
COLUMBIA - Hazardous mold growing in the Governor's Mansion will keep South Carolina's first family out of their home until at least September, officials said Friday.

Rants and raves
I SAW REPRESENTATIVES of the Democratic Party whining about the Republican conspiracy to keep Fahrenheit 9/11 out of Augusta. Wow! How stupid you made all Democrats look. First, if you really wanted to see it, all you had to do was drive to Columbia. Secondly, it was a limited release. There are many films we don't get in Augusta -- not because of politics but because of the market size. And finally, yes, we're getting it here on Friday. I'm a Democrat, and I really wish Lowell Greenbaum would switch parties. He's such a strident little kvetch.

Kid of the day
Today's kid of the day is TeMihkail Haynes Davis, 6, of Augusta.

Weekend events
Here's the schedule for all the exiting events for this 4th of July weekend.

Around town
Rodney Lucas (from left), Chad Benton and Shawn Fitzgerald of Master Craft Flooring of Augusta place a marble bicentennial marker on First Presbyterian Church. On Sunday, the church will celebrate the unveiling of the marker, which was put into place Thursday.

Rants and raves
I SAW REPRESENTATIVES of the Democratic Party whining about the Republican conspiracy to keep Fahrenheit 9/11 out of Augusta. Wow! How stupid you made all Democrats look. First, if you really wanted to see it, all you had to do was drive to Columbia. Secondly, it was a limited release. There are many films we don't get in Augusta -- not because of politics but because of the market size. And finally, yes, we're getting it here on Friday. I'm a Democrat, and I really wish Lowell Greenbaum would switch parties. He's such a strident little kvetch.

SRS is proud of work on craft
AIKEN - Savannah River Site engineer Rick Burns has eagerly monitored the Cassini spacecraft during the seven years before its arrival at Saturn this week.

Ballroom gets a spin at function
AIKEN - When Dorothy McLaurin walked in the door of the Aiken Municipal Building on Thursday night, the first thing she did was slip off her sandals decorated with flowers.

Money concerns delay relocation
About $2 million in federal money is now available to relocate Augusta's downtown railroads, but officials said that doesn't mean construction will start any time soon.

Man is executed for '85 stabbing
JACKSON, Ga. - The state of Georgia executed Robert Karl Hicks on Thursday for stabbing a 28-year-old woman to death nine months after he was released from prison on a rape conviction.

Fired up for the Fourth
Organizers of Sunday's Fourth of July festivities in downtown Augusta say those attending shouldn't worry about security or a cancellation based only on a slight drizzle of rain.

Kid of the day
Today's kid of the day is Sebastian M. Genova, 5, of Augusta.

Detainees may head to town
HANAHAN, S.C. - Residents in this small town tucked away between North Charleston and the Cooper River are concerned about the possibility that terrorist suspects could be moved from a holding facility in Cuba to stateside prisons such as the Navy Consolidated Brig at the Charleston Naval Weapons Station.

3 teens arrested in robbery spree
Richmond County sheriff's deputies arrested one adult and two juveniles Thursday in connection with a series of violent crimes that all occurred during June.

Across South Carolina
GREENVILLE - The father of a Woodmont Middle School pupil has sued the Greenville school district, saying officials did not provide adequate security to prevent his daughter from being sexually assaulted at her school.

Commission wants choices approved
Legitimate or not? That was the question before Augusta commissioners Thursday night concerning several appointees by state legislators for Augusta boards and authorities.

Omaha rock makes its mark on national scene
OMAHA, Neb. -- When the band Tilly and the Wall takes the stage, you're going to hear guitars, keyboards, hymn-like vocals - plus thigh-slaps and a woman tap-dancing on hollow boxes and metal discs to create different tones.

Top 20 concert tours
The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.

Partial transcript of Saddam Hussein's arraignment
The following partial transcript, transcribed by eMediaMillWorks Inc., was taken from audio that was edited by the U.S. military. The audio did not reflect everything Saddam Hussein said during his arraignment Thursday such as Saddam's remark: "This is all a theater by Bush, the criminal." A question mark after a name indicates that it was not completely clear who was speaking:

Duke waits for coach's decision
DURHAM, N.C. - When Duke's season ended with a Final Four loss to Connecticut in April, there was no indication that Mike Krzyzewski might have coached his last game with the Blue Devils.

Auburn's Monroe requests release
AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn point guard Lewis Monroe received a release from his scholarship Thursday and plans to transfer, the third player to leave since Jeff Lebo replaced Cliff Ellis as head coach.

Harrigan hopes to retire after Athens in style
LAS VEGAS - Lori Harrigan and her Team USA teammates have been crisscrossing the country since February. They are in the middle of their "Aiming For Athens" grassroots tour that will see them playing softball in towns where only a Greyhound bus might stop. So you would think the Las Vegas native might be happy that the Olympic Games are just six weeks away.

One step at a time
Skater and volunteer Paige McNeil (left), of Augusta, teaches 8-year-old Garielle Hawes how to ice skate at Augusta Ice Sports Center as part of Camp Fix-It. The camp, operated at Dyess Park, has taught children about different sports during the past four weeks. Children ages 5-17 have learned about swimming, tennis, golf, ice skating and hockey. The camp ended Friday.

Overtime
The Los Angeles Lakers are in "serious discussions" with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski about their coaching vacancy.

Overtime
Bowl Championship Series officials are considering a proposal in which media and coaches polls would account for 80 percent of the formula that determines the title game matchup, a BCS source told The Associated Press on Friday.

Minister's book helps him cope with death
Cathy Fuller was a good woman, a godly woman, but not perfect. She was the love of Gregory Fuller's life, but she died of AIDS in 1995, the eighth year of their marriage. The Rev. Dr. Fuller tells their story in From Bliss to a Blizzard: How God Turns Burdens Into Blessings.

Faith digest
CHAPLAIN (COL.) WILFRED BREWSTER JR., FORMER STAFF CHAPLAIN AT FORT GORDON, LEFT THIS WEEK for his new assignment as installation staff chaplain at Fort Hood near Killeen, Texas.

Growth in knowledge of God's word is never-ending
It is a sad sight to witness adults trying to manage their problems with the biblical understanding they had when they were 12 years old. The very thought is as ridiculous as trying to pay a bills with a 12-year-old's allowance.

Faith-based folds
One of the final gestures at many a funeral, from a foot soldier's to a president's, is the ritual folding of the American flag. Tucked into each fold are the same sentiments of patriotism, loyalty and gratitude Americans commemorate on the Fourth of July.

Renovations unite churches
Instead of heavenly visions two years ago, Wesley McClain and his congregation at First United Pentecostal Church were looking up at sagging plaster and a water leak in their 50-year-old sanctuary on Fenwick Street.

Faith Calendar
The Faith Calendar is a roundup of church and temple activities. Space is limited. Deadline is noon Monday.

Religion News in Brief
FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- The Baptist World Alliance says it was "slandered" as being liberal on issues related to homosexuality when the Southern Baptist Convention decided to quit the organization.

Rankings for basic cable networks
Rankings for the top 15 programs on basic cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of June 21-27. Each ratings point represents 1,084,000 households. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses.